Illinois gun rights advocates on Monday predictably hailed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to put limits on the city of Chicago’s ban on handgun ownership.

DOUG FINKE

Illinois gun rights advocates on Monday predictably hailed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to put limits on the city of Chicago’s ban on handgun ownership.

However, even the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence said the ruling could help in its efforts to “reduce death and injury associated with handgun violence.”

“In some ways, this was a good thing,” the council’s Chris Boyster said. “Many on the other side said our organization was always riding a slippery slope to take guns away. That is not our mission. This takes the argument off the table.”

Boyster said the decision doesn’t prohibit governments from employing “reasonable, commonsense laws” like requiring background checks of gun purchasers. What the council will do is focus on teaching people that the risk of death and injury increases with guns in the home, Boyster said.

“We have never been an organization to say you can’t have a firearm in the home,” Boyster said. “The world is not going to turn upside down because of this. We have just one part of the equation solved. Cities and counties can still impose sensible regulation.”

Boyster also said he doesn’t think the decision will change the political climate in Illinois surrounding concealed carry. Despite repeated attempts to allow citizens to carry concealed weapons in Illinois, one of only a few states with a total ban on the practice, the General Assembly has never approved the idea.

That view wasn’t shared by everyone. Tim Nation, treasurer of the Abe Lincoln Gun Club in Springfield, said Monday’s decision could make a difference.

“I talk with politicians periodically,” Nation said. “Politically speaking, I think this will help our chances.”

Nation said he wasn’t surprised by the ruling because the Supreme Court previously struck down a ban in the District of Columbia.

“I’ve been wanting to see something like this come down for quite a while,” Nation said. “I think people should have the right to choose.”

John Thurman, owner of Bullet Express in Springfield, likewise called the decision “great.”

“The Second Amendment is for everybody, not a select few,” Thurman said. “Overall, good people have the right to protect themselves in the city of Chicago. They have one of the highest crime rates in the U.S.”

Todd Vandermyde, Illinois lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, said the decision reasserts that “the individual right to own a firearm is a fundamental right that states and cities cannot trample over.”

Vandermyde said the ruling will “put a brick” on what he called other draconian gun laws supported by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, including proposals to ban semi-automatic weapons and to limit a person’s gun purchases to one per month.

Vandermyde also said the ruling could push Illinois to approve concealed carry.

“It will move the ball in our favor. It brings out more support for right to carry,” Vandermyde said.

Doug Finke can be reached at 788-1527.

Brady, Quinn react to ruling

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady both and Gov. Pat Quinn both said Monday they agree with Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Americans have a right to own a gun for self-defense anywhere they live.

Brady talked about the gun ruling after speaking to the Illinois Society of Association Executives at the Sangamo Club.

“I believe in the Second Amendment, and I believe the court ruling today is a step in the right direction to afford Illinois citizens including (those in) Chicago their rights,” Brady said.

Brady reiterated that he would support an Illinois law to allow regular citizens to carry concealed guns, but the right wouldn’t be automatic to all.

“I have said that I support laws which fully embrace Second Amendment rights,” Brady said. “In the case of concealed carry, many states have proven that with the right training, background checks and implementation, it works well.”

Quinn said at a separate Springfield appearance that he believes in the right to bear arms, but said the ruling will still allow government to have some safety-oriented regulation of guns.

“I believe in the second amendment and I believe we should do it in a way that protects the public and also protects the right to bear arms,” said Quinn, who was at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library to honor young regional spelling bee winners.

Asked if he thinks it opens to the door to concealed carry in Illinois, Quinn said, “I don’t think so. I don’t think that’s embedded in the constitutional right.”

-- Bernard Schoenburg

Gun bills

Most gun bills introduced in the General Assembly this year made little progress. Among them were:

House Bill 4835 – Eliminates waiting period when swapping one gun for another. Passed House. In Senate Assignments Committee.

House Bill 5495 – Limits handgun purchases to one a month. In House Rules Committee.

House Bill 6123 – Makes it a Class 1 felony to knowingly sell or give a gun to a gang member. In House Rules Committee.

House Bill 6249 – Allows concealed carry in Illinois. In House Rules Committee.

Source: General Assembly website

Illinois Firearm Owners Identification Card rules

*Who needs a FOID card?

Unless exempted by state law, any Illinois resident who acquires or possesses firearms or firearm ammunition in the state. The person must have the card in their possession.

*Where do you obtain a FOID card?

It can be obtained by downloading an application from the Illinois State Police website and at most retail stores where firearms are sold.

*How much does it cost?

A $10 processing fee is charged.

*How long does it take to obtain a card?

The state police must either approve or deny an application within 30 days of receivi9ng it.

*How long is the card good for?

The card is good for 10 years.

*Do certain convictions make a person ineligible for a FOID card?

Yes. Someone convicted of a felony is ineligible for a FOID card, although there is an appeal process to the state police. Also, a person convicted of domestic battery/domestic violence is ineligible for a card, as is anyone subject to an active order of protection.